Mark Du Plessis (born 3 October 1975, Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe) is a horse racing jockey. He was champion apprentice jockey in Zimbabwe in 1994/1995 and the winner of Zimbabwe senior jockeys' championship in 1997/1998.
He moved to New Zealand and starting riding in the late 1990s in the North Island. He has won 80 Group and listed races and a current total of 867 victories in New Zealand.[1]
Du Plessis also rode in Singapore.[2] and he rode 60 winners in each of the last two seasons during brief stints in Hong Kong.[3]
In 2018 Mark moved to Australia to continue his career.[4]
Major wins
[edit]New Zealand
[edit]- Auckland Cup - Bazelle (2005), Prize Lady (2007), Rock Diva (2015).
- Easter Handicap - Albany Reunion (2014)
- Ellerslie Sires Produce Stakes - Vespa (2014)
- Hawke's Bay Guineas - Sir Andrew (2013).
- Karaka Million 2YO - Vespa (2014)
- Levin Classic - Recite (2014)
- Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes - Recite (2013)
- New Zealand 1000 Guineas - Rollout The Carpet (2012)
- New Zealand International Stakes - Red Ruler (2011)
- New Zealand Oaks - Tapildo (2001)
- New Zealand Stakes - Gaze (2007)
- Otaki-Maori Weight for Age - Star Satire (2001)
- Railway Stakes (New Zealand) - Bounding (2014)
- Telegraph Handicap - Irish Fling (2014)
- Trentham Stakes - Red Ruler (2010)
- Wellington Cup - Red Ruler (2010)
Hong Kong
[edit]- Premier Bowl - Rich Unicorn (2011)
- Prince Jewellery & Watch Premier Cup - Aashiq (2012)
Singapore
[edit]- KrisFlyer International Sprint - Green Birdie (2010)
- Raffles Cup - Zirna (2003)
- Singapore Gold Cup - Zirna (2003), Raul (2004)
Australia
[edit]- Aquis Jewel (1200m) - Kisukano [5] [6]
- George Moore Stakes - Chapter And Verse (2019) [7]
- Victory Stakes - Victorem (2020) [8]
- Magic Millions QTIS (Gold Coast 1300m) - Chapter and Verse.
References
[edit]- ^ "Mark du Plessis / Jockey Profile / RaceInfo / LOVERACING.NZ".
- ^ "Racing: Family ties returning du Plessis to Waikato".
- ^ The Hong Kong Jockey Club – Profile of Mark Du Plessis
- ^ Nathan Exelby (19 July 2018). "Du Plessis considers his state of play after Grafton Cup". The Courier Mail. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
- ^ https://www.racingnews.co.nz/du-plessis-eyes-group-one-prize/ [bare URL]
- ^ "Racing.com". www.racing.com.
- ^ "Racing.com". www.racing.com.
- ^ "2020 Result – TAB Victory Stakes (held 23 May 2020)". breednet.com. Retrieved 23 May 2020.